"What does Shin Buddhism potentially offer America that other Buddhisms do not? How can that potential be maximized and delivered to new audiences? What challenges lie ahead for American Shin Buddhism? How can Shin Buddhism complete its evolution from ethnic sect into universal religion and fulfill Shinran's vision that the Primal Vow embraces all people?"

A native of North Carolina and an alumnus of UNC, Dr. Jeff Wilson is currently an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and East Asian Studies at Renison University College in Waterloo, Ontario.

Dr. Wilson is also the founder of the Buddhism in the West program unit at the American Academy of Religion, author of numerous books and articles on the development of Buddhism in America and a contributing editor for Tricycle: The Buddhist Review magazine.

Dr. Wilson is the author of Buddhism of the Heart: Reflections on Shin Buddhism and Inner Togetherness and a frequent speaker at Shin temples throughout North America.